Strachan names Brown Scotland skipper

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has named Scott Brown as his first captain.

PUBLISHED: 15:11, Tue, Feb 5, 2013

Scott Brown will captain Scotland in their friendly clash with Estonia on Wednesday [PA]

Celtic skipper Brown will lead out the team for the first time ahead of Wednesday night's friendly against Estonia at Pittodrie.

"He already knows what it's like to be a captain with pressure and that made him favourite," Strachan told a press conference in Aberdeen.

Gary Caldwell and Kenny Miller have shared captaincy duties in the absence of Darren Fletcher, who is battling a chronic bowel condition, but Caldwell has returned to Wigan with an injury and 33-year-old Miller is unlikely to start as the Vancouver Whitecaps striker is in the midst of his close season.

Strachan confirmed Caldwell's withdrawal was one of several from his squad, adding: "He's left. Grant (Hanley) has left too, they did well to come up, they'd really been struggling.

"Ross McCormack has left, he's got some sort of bug but he made it up here which was terrific. Young James (Forrest) went back because I felt it might be too much to play two games back to back for him. So he's away to Celtic and they'll look after him there."

The Scotland boss is more than willing to co-operate with Clydesdale Bank Premier League managers as all parties aim to minimise player fatigue.

"I spoke to a lot of managers recently and I'm trying to do the best for the group and the best for the managers," he added. "The team that is picked is the best one we can put out tomorrow.

"We're taking into consideration the last time they played, the conditions they played in and who'll be playing at the weekend. We'll try to help them and try to get something positive for ourselves."

Strachan is preparing to make his debut as Scotland manager at the ground where he spent seven successful years as a player between 1977 and 1984, and he added: "When I first got the job I thought 'wherever the first game is, it will be fantastic' but I think I've realised it's even more special that I'm going back to Aberdeen where I enjoyed smashing times with great players."